Friday, October 25, 2013

¿Dónde está mi carta?

This has been my theme song for the last few weeks, with a side of 'Sitting, Waiting, Wishing' by Jack Johnson.

Okay, so let's recap:  we've got the placement (YAY)! ¡Vamos Al España (YAY)! 
Holy hell, I have a TON of crap to do! I have to wait for my carta de nombramiento in order to begin my visa application. I know it may not arrive for a couple of weeks, so I have time to get the paperwork together for my visa application,  I can't get my visa without my carta. GOT THAT!? Good.

Here is where I want to give a shout out to Mr. Trevor Huxham. He was thoughtful enough to document his steps to get to the consulate, and work on your visa application. I'll leave his link here. I would have been lost without his advice, so if you are a first time Auxiliare who needs the Houston Consulate and doesn't know where to turn, LISTEN TO HIM.

So: I need a background check from the state of Louisiana. Thanks to a friend, I was able to get that easily enough. All it took was a drive to Baton Rouge, and I got the background check, AND I was able to get it apostilled. The whole thing took maybe an hour, as opposed to two - weeks of waiting. Awesome. 

However the hardest thing for me has been my medical certificate. Like many people in my country, I don't have insurance. This made it extremely hard to find a doctor who was willing to see me, and sign a letter saying I don't have the plague. I have spent hours waiting in clinics, just to find out that they don't give exams or can't provide me with the forms I need, even when I called in advance to make sure they can do it. I'd almost given up when I found the Odyssey House in Mid-City. They examined me, gave me tests, did blood work, and were able to write me a letter. I should have it this week. *crosses toes*


ALL THIS TIME, I have been waiting forever (♪♫♪ And ever! And ever!And ever! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! ♫♪♫) for my carta de nombramiento to arrive. The original  placement email told me to contact my Ministry in Madrid, and let them know that I would be a late arrival. I did so immediately, and got no answer. I emailed another time: still nothing. I was able to get a name and personal email in the program, and emailed her with the same questions. I received a reply (YAY!), but it basically said "Don't worry, you'll have to just wait." 
I answered immediately (See how that works!?), and reiterated that I couldn't start my visa application without my carta, and I didn't even know where my school was. I received...
....
........
............ nothing. 


Yeah, that's been me for the last month. Every time I check my mailbox... every time I check my email. Every time I get a call, text or person asking: "Any news on your departure date. Did you get your letter yet? Have you heard anything from Spain?" If you're a friend/family member reading this: Don't take it personal. You're not the only one. The only other time I felt this way was when I first applied in April, and spent the next four months being asked "Have you heard anything about Spain!?"

With the entire country of Spain being unable to check their emails, I seemed to have nothing but time. Time to wait. Time to hope. Time to feel like maybe this shit just wasn't going to happen! Yesterday, after another two weeks of silence, I bucked up and sent a fifth email - en español - with my concerns. I pointed out that I'd sent five emails, and that I'd been placed over a month ago. I was frustrated that I heard pretty much nothing from the program. while people who were placed after me were already in Spain and working. I needed an answer, something to tell my boss, landlord, and family. I mean, at this rate I'm not getting to Spain until damn January and I need to get my timeline together people!! A few hours later I see... *gaaaaaasp* a REPLY!



YES! SOMEONE REALIZED WHAT THE REPLY BUTTON IS FOR!! 

I heard from a wonderful woman who assured me (in English, mind you. Damn y'all, my Spanish is that bad!?) that my carta will be sent out in a few days (DAYS, Y'ALL), and that I have been placed in a secondary school in northern Madrid. I'll be working in a town called La Cabrera. I googled images of this place, and it. is. BEAUTIFUL. Wow. 

This is really happening, y'all. I feel like just when it seems surreal, something lands in my lap to say: UMMM, THIS SHIT IS HAPPENING. I've been lax on the packing thing. I need to step up my game.

I keep reminding myself: I said I wanted something different. I said I wanted change. Well, it's around the corner in the form of 6 months in Spain. I'm up for it. Anyone else?

EDIT: I typed this last night. This morning, 25 October (I better get used to that) 2013: I GOT MY CARTA DE NOMBRAMIENTO!!! YES!! LET CONFETTI RAIN FROM THE HEAVENS!!